Great River Children's Museum Benefits St. Cloud Families and Downtown Business Owners

Great River Children's Museum opened on June 10 and immediately attracted families from across St. Cloud and beyond. In its first month, visitors came from 29 states and the United Kingdom. The wide exhibit areas offer plenty of space for kids to play and explore while learning about the world around them. Most activities are designed to accommodate children from birth to age 10, but kids of all ages can find something fun there.

“Everything has been going well since we opened,” says Cassie Miles, Chief Executive Officer at the Great River Children's Museum. “We’ve been having a lot of fun.”  

Not only do parents and kids have a cool new place to go in St. Cloud, but the museum can provide economic benefits to the downtown area and the community as a whole. Here’s why you should check out the new Children’s Museum if you haven’t already. 

There Are Several Rooms for Kids to Explore

Great River Children’s Museum is three buildings merged into one, making it the largest children’s museum in Minnesota. This means there is plenty of space for kids to explore and try new things. The museum is large enough that kids might not see each exhibit during a single visit, so they can keep learning when they return.

“My favorite exhibit changes based on the learning I see every day,” says Miles.

A Play Team member recently observed a very serious child playing at an exhibit where kids scan packages and sort them based on the countries they should be delivered to. When a package is scanned, a voice says “hello” in each country’s language. Miles learned the child was so focused on the activity because their father was a mailman.

Other popular areas include a 35-foot water table where kids learn about aquatic engineering, a climbing course for older kids, and a nature simulation exhibit that transitions from day to night within 20 minutes. Kids can play during the daytime for a few minutes and then watch the room transition to night, complete with constellations, fireflies, and the sounds of animals walking through the wild. Then the day starts again.

The museum will eventually have temporary exhibitions and sensory playtime for kids who prefer quieter learning environments. There are wellness rooms where kids and adults can step aside if they need a break. These rooms have lower lighting and sensory accessories like fidgets and weighted stuffed animals to help guests find the calm they need.

Interactive Exhibits Make Learning Fun

Each element of Great River Children’s Museum is designed to introduce new ideas and concepts to children through age-appropriate activities. Younger kids might learn about different shapes and water movement, while older explorers discover the impact of tides and dams, as an example.

“Learning happens organically through play,” says Miles. “We are promoting childhood development in a safe environment where kids can challenge themselves. It’s okay to fail at an activity or lose a game. This, in itself, is a lesson to pick back up and try again.”    

The exhibits have signage to help parents and caretakers understand what kids might be learning through various activities. The signs also help caretakers understand how to encourage and support children through their play process. Parents can interact during the learning process or ask reflection questions afterward.

Most signs are written in English, Spanish, and Somali. While there are more than 50 languages spoken in the local school district, Great River Children’s Museum chose the three most populous options for their signs. Multilingual signage lets caretakers know that all are welcome in the museum, no matter their background. The museum also strikes a balance between adding signage for kids to promote literacy, while also letting them focus on the activities.

The Museum Will Have a Direct Economic Impact

Great River Children’s Museum will have an estimated $9 million economic impact from direct, indirect, and induced spending. Parents can take public transit to the museum and enjoy other aspects of downtown life. They might find a lunch spot before heading home or stop at an ice cream shop for a sweet treat. This museum could potentially attract new businesses that specifically cater to families and children.

“The responsibility to attract residents and bring them downtown weighs on us in a good way,” says Miles. “We want to uplift this area and help it grow.”

The museum will also increase St. Cloud's tourism offerings and attract families across the region, state, and country. Beyond tourism, having a children’s museum is a significant amenity for parents, which could sway some families that are considering moving to St. Cloud.

“We believe wholeheartedly that we are drawing employees that employers in the region need,” says Miles. “We offer something above the baseline needs for families.”

A children’s museum in the community also has long-term quality of life benefits. St. Cloud’s kids can grow up curious about the world and ready to learn. They will engage with different cultural and scientific touchpoints that are foundational to learning.

“Economic development is always a long-term game,” says Cathy Mehelich, Economic Development Director for the St. Cloud Economic Development Authority (EDA). “Right now, families benefit by having a new place to take their kids, but in the coming decades, they can enjoy lasting community growth and a generation eager to explore.”

Today’s kids pretending to run businesses in the museum will be tomorrow’s entrepreneurs.

Join the Great River Children’s Museum Downtown

The City of St. Cloud is a wonderful place to live because of passionate residents who create and maintain amenities like Great River Children’s Museum. When families feel supported and have opportunities to create precious memories, they are more likely to stay here and attract other residents.

Learn more about Downtown St. Cloud and available properties for business expansion. Now that the museum is open, families have more reasons to visit the downtown area and support nearby businesses. Now is a great time to bring your business here.  

Great River Children’s Museum will be especially valuable for families during winter. Inside, it’s summer all year, with new things to learn each season. This further benefits businesses by attracting families during every season. There’s never a bad month to head downtown and enjoy life in St. Cloud.

Keep up with the St. Cloud EDA to learn about other developments and opportunities for growth.